Vivek Karunakaran sets the record straight with his summer line

Bhandis and palazzos are a staple in Vivek Karunakaran’s collection, but at his latest outing at the India Luxury Fashion Week in Bengaluru last week, the Chennai-based designer unveiled a new menswear collection that broke away from the classic looks that defined his previous lines. Inspired by the visual representation of what one would see at a construction site, Vivek Karunakaran’s Spring Summer 2017 brings together a range of sharp lines, either as surface detailing, colour blocks or silhouettes.

“Essentially, what I have picked up from the visual were the lines used in construction. These have been used in different ways — to create textures on fabrics and also create depth in colour by using colour blocking in different proportions,” says the NIFT graduate. 

Pin up

Big on surface design, pintucks are the predominant detail featuring on garments as bib yokes, panels and facings or textures on collars and sleeves. “What is exciting is that we have taken a detour towards a more modern, edgy representation of our menswear line. Though the collection comes across as linear with the lines and colour blocks, the floral print motifs liven up things,” says Vivek, referring to the motifs carried forward from his women’s SS collection titled Enchanted Garden.

Bright young things

With a focus on keeping things lighthearted and young, the 36-year-old designer tells us that styling lends to the character of the collection. Look out for ensembles like the classic shirts, tuxedos and printed short sleeve shirts paired up with pants or the staple palazzos. “I think my favourite, besides my statement palazzos pants, is the wing-collared shirt worn with palazzos, and suspenders,” he says with a laugh.

Despite the visible change in design aesthetics with the jersey-sleeved kurtas, handkerchief hem kurtas and sports jackets, Vivek Karunakaran tells us that the collection is a mixture of apparel for both extremes. Find joggers, straight-cut pants and custom-made shirts for those looking to keep things understated and classy.

While continuing his love affair with the monochrome, the former Lakme Gen Next designer’s colour palette also includes hues like grey, red and beige on a range of fabrics like Giza cotton, Italian linen, poplin, fil-a-fil and viscose. 

Future diaries

Even as the collection will be available at the VK Flagship store come Father’s Day, the designer is unsure about releasing another father-son collection. “I might just surprise you!” he says, adding that VK will be launching an Indian line and that there is a new label in the making. 

Rs 5,500 upwards for shirts. `25,000 upwards for jackets. At VK Flagship Store, Rutland Gate. 
Details: 43153454